End Child Poverty Week
Child poverty is a central feature of the Children’s Rights Alliance newly adopted strategic plan. The publication of our Child Poverty Monitor in July was a starting point in the development of our work in this area.
This September, we are organising Ireland’s first End Child Poverty Week between Monday 12 September and Friday 16 September 2022 – five days of events, activities, and discussion on child poverty across five different thematic areas.
Check out the event pages below for more information, registration details and how to get involved! We look forward to seeing you there!
Day One - Turning the tide on Child Poverty in Ireland
Online
Monday 12 September, 11am - 1pm
Register to attend this online event and hear from Julie Humphreys, Deputy Director of the Tackling Child Poverty Strategy Unit in the Scottish Govrnment about their new strategy to tackle child poverty and the national drive behind it. We will also be joined by Rónán Hession, Assistant Secretary at the Departmnet of Social Protection, Fintan O'Toole, Irish Times Columnist and writer and Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children's Rights Alliance for a discussion on what action needs to be taken in Ireland to break the cycle of poverty for children, young people and families.
Register to attend here.
Day Two - Food Poverty
In-person, Crosscare Finglas
Tuesday 13 September, 11am - 1.00pm
On the second day of End Child Poverty Week, we will focus on best practice examples of addressing food poverty. This in-person event will include contributions from experts in the area of practice and policy who will highlight how food poverty can be addressed within formal and non-formal education settings. Speakers include: Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Joe O' Brien TD, Ciara Murphy and Yvonne Fleming, Crosscare and Terri Cole, Education Manager, Grow It Yourself
Regsiter to attend here.
Day Three - Play, Recreation and Participation
Online
Wednesday 14 September, 10.30am - 12.30pm
The third day of End Child Poverty Week places a spotlight on the importance of access to play and the wider participation of children in the decisions that affect their lives. At this event, we will hear from experts in the area of play as well as key policy influencers and decision makers.Speakers include: Prof Paul Downes Professor of Psychology of Education, Director, Educational Disadvantage Centre, School of Human Development, Institute of Education (DCU), Kevin McCarthy, Secretary General of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, Youth.
Register to attend here.
Day Four - Early Years
Thursday 15 September, 3.30 - 5.00pm
To mark the fourth day of End Child Poverty Week, we will be hosting a panel discussion on the future of Early Childhood Education and Care. Our panel will discuss the need to continue to increase public investment in Early Childhood Education and Care as well as the need to implement the recommendations of the Expert Group on the newly proposed Funding Model. Speakers include Gráinne McKenna Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Education
(DCU), Anne-Marie Brooks from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Darragh O’Connor from SIPTU and Julie Ahern from the Children’s Rights Alliance.
Day Five - Education
Friday 16 September, 11am - 1pm
The final day of End Child Poverty Week will focus on Education. This online event will look at educational inequality, the need to ensure access to education that suits the need of the child and the importance of nurturing the aspirations of the next generation. We are delighted to welcome Britain's first Professor of Social Mobility, Lee Elliot Major, as our keynote speaker. He will joined by Joel Osaghae, Citywise graduate and Tomás Ó Ruairc, Assistant Secretary General at the Department of Education
Register to attend here.